Bengals Tie Eagles 13-13

Posted: Sun 8:52 PM, Nov 16, 2008&nbsp|&nbsp

Updated: Sun 8:52 PM, Nov 16, 2008

Donovan McNabb expected to keep playing untilsomeone scored, no matter how long it took. Mercifully, the NFL'srules set a time limit on terrible play. Eagles 13, Bengals 13. It couldn't have ended any other way. McNabb fumbled and threw three interceptions in regulationSunday, and the Bengals botched the only scoring chance inovertime, leaving the equally inept teams with the NFL's first tiedgame in six years. Cincinnati's Shayne Graham missed a 47-yard field goal with 7seconds left in overtime, falling to the ground as the ball saileda few inches wide to the right. It was a fitting finish to a gameplayed like the very definition of a tie. Despite all the shankedpunts and trick plays, this one went nowhere. "Terrible," Bengals quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick said. No one was more surprised than McNabb that it ended so soon - 3hours, 46 minutes after the opening kickoff. The 10th-yearquarterback thought it would keep going until someone scored, justlike a playoff game. Wrong. "I didn't know that," said McNabb, who played a leading rolein keeping it tied. "I've never been part of a tie. I never evenknew it was in the rule book. I was looking forward to getting theopportunity to get out there and try to drive to win the game. Butunfortunately with the rules, we settled with a tie." It was the first tied game in the NFL since Nov. 10, 2002, whenthe Falcons and Steelers finished 34-34 with Michael Vick and TommyMaddox matching each other pass for pass. In this one, the teamsmatched each other gaffe for gaffe. The Eagles (5-4-1) have yet to win a close game this season,going 0-4 with a tie in games decided by less than a touchdown.McNabb had a big hand in this one, matching his career high withthree interceptions and setting up 10 of Cincinnati's points. He nearly had another pass picked off in overtime, but JohnathanJoseph dropped a potential interception near midfield. Each teamhad three chances in the extra 15-minute quarter, but only theBengals (1-8-1) got close enough to try a field goal. They missed it, leaving them with only their second tied game infranchise history. They played Houston to a 31-31 tie in 1969,their second season. "We didn't win. We didn't lose, either," said Graham, who hadbeen 6-for-6 from 40-49 yards. "But sometimes, tying stings alittle more." Philadelphia hadn't finished with a tie since a 10-10 gameagainst Baltimore in 1997. The Eagles' defense had eight sacks andcompensated for McNabb's fumble by pulling off a goal-line standfrom the 1 in the first half. The game soon settled in that pattern- a blitzing defense trying to erase the offense's mishaps. It ended in a draw. McNabb, who had only five interceptions coming in, went 28-of-58for 339 yards. He repeatedly missed open receivers in an offensethat has come to rely on him almost entirely because it can't run. Stunning stat: Philadelphia tried to pass on all of its 18 ofits third-down plays, including three third-and-1 plays. The Eaglesconverted only three of their third-down plays as they got awayfrom their ineffective running game. "It makes you look at different options," said BrianWestbrook, who ran for only 60 yards. "Today we tried a couple ofdifferent things, and we weren't successful." They tried a flea-flicker that fell incomplete in regulation,and a direct snap to rookie receiver DeSean Jackson in a shotgunformation during the overtime. Jackson ran and flipped the ball toWestbrook, who lost 3 yards. "I've never been in a tie, so I don't know how this works inthe standings," coach Andy Reid said. "I know it's not goodenough. We need wins, and this is not a win." Fitzpatrick went 29-of-44 for 261 yards with a touchdown set upby McNabb's interception. He was under heavy pressure all game,forcing the Bengals to punt 11 times, tying their team record. After Philadelphia's David Akers tied it at 13 with 5:18 to goin regulation, both offenses went into a shell. The 64,633 fansknew that the Bengals, after managing only one field goal withoutMcNabb's assistance, would need a lot of breaks to pull it out. Amazingly, they got them. Not surprisingly, they blew them. Sav Rocca's third shanked punt of the game set Cincinnati up atits 41. Sheldon Brown's roughing-the-passer penalty gave theBengals another huge break and set up Graham's final kick, whichsailed a few inches to the right of the upright. Then, after McNabb's long pass fell incomplete, reality set in. Yes, this was a tie. "I guess we're aware if it now," McNabb said.Notes: Bengals WR Antonio Chatman injured his neck when he wastackled after a reception in the second quarter. He was taken offthe field on a backboard as a precaution, but had full movement inhis arms and legs. X-rays were negative. He was staying in ahospital overnight for observation. ... OL Andrew Whitworthseverely sprained his right ankle during the third quarter anddidn't return. ... WR T.J. Houshmandzadeh matched his season highwith 12 catches for 149 yards.

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